Walmart Apologizes After N-Word Is Used on Its Site to Describe Hair Product

"We are very sorry and appalled that this third party seller listed their item with this description on our online marketplace," retailer tweets

Brian Flood, provided by

Published 11:45 am, Monday, July 17, 2017

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Walmart is apologizing for using a racial slur on its site.

>>Click to see other business blunders.

Walmart is apologizing for using a racial slur on its site.

>>Click to see other business blunders.

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Business blunders through the years

Corporations and businesses, like people, can also do or say dumb and thoughtless things. These are a collection of those times when companies should tread far more lightly.

Corporations and businesses, like people, can also do or say dumb and thoughtless things. These are a collection of those times when companies should tread far more lightly.

Photo: PeopleImages, Getty Images

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An Australian tourism campaign launched, and the new slogan is causing quite the stir on social media.

Photo: CU in the NT Facebook

An Australian tourism campaign launched, and the new slogan is causing quite the stir on social media.

Photo: CU in the NT Facebook

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The University of North Texas has become the Internet's punchline for a "uniquely" designed mug involving the "C" shaped handle and UNT's abbreviation. The design, that spells out a derogatory term, has since been removed, but the mistake has already been made. Take a look through the gallery to see more business blunders through the years.

The University of North Texas has become the Internet's punchline for a "uniquely" designed mug involving the "C" shaped handle and UNT's abbreviation. The design, that spells out a derogatory term, has since

The U.K.'s Advertising Standards Authority has ordered clothing company Urban Outfitters to remove these images showing a model with the infamous "thigh gap." The ASA said the ad was irresponsible for promoting an unhealthy image for younger people. less

The U.K.'s Advertising Standards Authority has ordered clothing company Urban Outfitters to remove these images showing a model with the infamous "thigh gap." The ASA said the ad was irresponsible for promoting ... more

Photo: Urban Outfitters

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Following two deadly disasters in 2014, Malaysia Airlines thought it would be a good idea to promote a competition asking people what activities and destinations were on their "bucket list." The title of said competition was later scrapped. less

Following two deadly disasters in 2014, Malaysia Airlines thought it would be a good idea to promote a competition asking people what activities and destinations were on their "bucket list." The title of said ... more

Photo: Peter Dejong, Associated Press

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The disappearance of AirAsia QZ8501 is certainly tragic, but it's also painfully embarrassing. Back in April, Business Insider reported the company claimed its pilots would never lose a plane.

The disappearance of AirAsia QZ8501 is certainly tragic, but it's also painfully embarrassing. Back in April, Business Insider reported the company claimed its pilots would never lose a plane.

Photo: LAURENT FIEVET, Staff

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If you thought your Facebook's "Year in Review" was bad, a web designer in Ohio has you beat, according to Ars Technica. The cruel algorithm included a photo of his now deceased daughter, bringing back all sorts of painful memories. A representative of the social media giant apologized. less

If you thought your Facebook's "Year in Review" was bad, a web designer in Ohio has you beat, according to Ars Technica. The cruel algorithm included a photo of his now deceased daughter, bringing back all ... more

What's a social media network to do when your former users all jumped ship years ago? Blackmail them! MySpace is trying to lure former users with their old photos, but some say it feels like the social network is holding their embarrassing moments against them. less

What's a social media network to do when your former users all jumped ship years ago? Blackmail them! MySpace is trying to lure former users with their old photos, but some say it feels like the social network ... more

In March 2014, customers saw something very curious on Target's online store: Poorly photoshopped female models in bikinis. Target quickly took them down and apologized, but many call it another symptom of the fashion industry's propagation of unreasonable body images. less

Passengers spell out the word "HELP" aboard the disabled Carnival Lines cruise ship Triumph as it is towed to harbor off Mobile Bay, Ala. in Feb. 2013. Carnival Cruise Lines knew about the risk of leaks from engine fuel hoses and recommended taking precautions on the ill-fated Carnival Triumph, which caught on fire at sea, according to documents. A "compliance notice report" sent to the Triumph one month before it departed Galveston for what was planned as a four-day cruise recommended spray shields be installed on engines' flexible fuel hoses. less

Passengers spell out the word "HELP" aboard the disabled Carnival Lines cruise ship Triumph as it is towed to harbor off Mobile Bay, Ala. in Feb. 2013. Carnival Cruise Lines knew about the risk of leaks from ... more

Photo: Gerald Herbert, Associated Press

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In Austin, Texas, a Reddit user spotted the same "domestic violence-beer" joke on a bar sign. After bar management caught wind of what happened, they fired the employee responsible and quickly apologized.

In Austin, Texas, a Reddit user spotted the same "domestic violence-beer" joke on a bar sign. After bar management caught wind of what happened, they fired the employee responsible and quickly apologized.

Walmart apologized and removed the racial slur and replaced the “Add To Cart” button with a message stating that the item was no longer available.

Walmart was apologizing on Monday after an appalling description of a product by a third-party vendor made its way onto the retail giant’s website.

Media: New York Post

“We are very sorry and appalled that this third party seller listed their item with this description on our online marketplace. It is a clear violation of our policy an has been removed, and we are investigating the seller to determine how this could have happened,” the company tweeted.

Walmart pinned the racial slur on a “third party seller” which coincides with a message on the company website.

“While we aim to provide accurate product information, it is provided by manufacturers, suppliers and others, and has not been verified by us,” a disclaimer provided on the product’s Walmart webpage said.

The company replied to angry Twitter users by responding to messages with, “We agree this is appalling,” and a copy of the official statement.